Title: Apply general terminology to medication use.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Understanding Pharmacology

Application should include general medication-related terminology and abbreviations, such as

- topical
- intramuscular (IM)
- units of measurement, such as milliliter (ml) and milligram (mg)
- intravenous (IV).

Application should avoid handwritten abbreviations per TJC’s official “Do Not Use” list, as follows:

- Avoid U as an abbreviation; write “unit” instead.
- Avoid IU as an abbreviation; write “International Unit” instead.
- Avoid Q.D., QD, q.d., qd as an abbreviation; write “daily” instead.
- Avoid Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d., qod as an abbreviation; write “every other day” instead.
- Avoid a trailing zero (X.0 mg); write “X mg” instead.
- Avoid the omission of a leading zero; write “0.X mg” instead.
- Avoid the abbreviations and formulas MS, MSO4, MgSO4; write “morphine sulfate” or “magnesium sulfate” instead, as appropriate.

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why is it important to use medical terminology when referring to medications or related issues?
- When are abbreviations acceptable? When are they not acceptable?
- Why has TJC developed an official “Do Not Use” list for certain medication terminology abbreviations?
- What additional abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols are on the TJC’s list for possible future inclusion in the “Do Not Use” list? Why are they problematic for medical practitioners?